Monocyte and macrophage phenotypes: a look beyond systemic sclerosis

open3noopenCutolo M, Trombetta AC, Soldano S.Cutolo, M; Trombetta, Ac; Soldano, S

Elimination of congenital rubella: a seroprevalence study of pregnant women and women of childbearing age in Italy

Prevention of congenital rubella is achieved by vaccination of susceptible women of childbearing age. In Italy, the National Plan for Measles and Congenital Rubella Elimination 2010–2015 implemented catch-up vaccination activities targeting susceptible adolescents and young adults, including women of childbearing age. The aim of this study was to assess the immunity against rubella in women of childbearing age in Tuscany (Central Italy) and Apulia (Southern Italy) and pregnant women in Apulia after the implementation of the National Plan for Measles and Congenital Rubella Elimination. Overall, anti-rubella IgG prevalence in women of childbearing age samples was 88.6% in Tuscany and 84.3% in Apulia. The lowest prevalence was observed in samples of 26–35 years old women of childbearing age in Apulia with 77.8%. Only 62.7% of samples from 26–35 years old pregnant women had IgG against rubella, and one sample out of 95 was positive to IgM. The findings of this study highlight the need for increasing awareness on the risk of contracting rubella infection during pregnancy and implement vaccination strategies to create opportunities for administration of rubella containing vaccines in young girls and women of childbearing age

Influence of diet and rearing system on heavy pig performance, carcass and meat quality

Identifying alternative dietary protein sources and new types of outdoor rearing techniques that enhance animal welfare, thus optimising costs and production performance, are among the main objectives of nutritionists and breeders. The aim of this study was to compare two types of rations where pea and potato concentrate completely substituted soybean in intensively and extensively bred swine. Forty Large White × Duroc piglets weighing about 40 kg were divided into 4 groups of 10 sex- and weightmatched individuals: Indoor rearing + Control diet, Indoor rearing + Experimental diet, Outdoor rearing + Control diet, Outdoor rearing + Experimental diet. Different diets were formulated for the growing phase (40-100 kg) and the fattening period (100-slaughter); pigs, weighed individually every 40 days to estimate the average daily gain and feed conversion rate, were slaughtered when they reached the weight for Italian ham production. The following measurements were obtained: carcass weight, slaughtered yield, weight of lean cuts, pH 45 minutes and 24 hours post mortem. 40 semimembranosus muscle samples were analysed for colour parameters (L*, a* and b*), moisture, fat, protein and ash while the energy values were calculated. Semimembranosus intramuscular fat and ham backfat were analysed for fatty acid profile. Statistical analysis of performances data was conducted using design with repeated measures and the slaughterhouse, meat and fat composition data were subjected to ANOVA. The results show that soybean can be completely substituted with other protein crops. Rearing and slaughterhouse performances were not affected by the diet, whereas significant differences emerged with the rearing system. Diet composition significantly affected lean meat proportion (50.0 vs 48.2) and fat thickness of 3/4 Thoracic Vertebra (25.3 vs 28.3 mm), while the rearing system significantly affected all carcass quality measures. Some parameters were better in outdoorthan indoor-subjects. Meat colour was also significantly influenced by the rearing effect, being less light and yellow in the former subjects (L* 49.9 vs 37.3; b* 3.7 vs 2.3). Chemical analysis demonstrated that the meat of outdoor-reared subjects was leaner (1.96% vs 1.38% fat) and had a lower water content (72.8% vs 71.8%). The complete replacement of soybean is thus compatible with a strong characterization and an enhancement of the value of swine products. In addition, the rearing system can result in distinctive quality features, such as ham colour and fat content, allowing products from outdoor rearing to be clearly recognized from those obtained from intensive rearing

An observational retrospective evaluation of 79 young men with long-term adverse effects after use of finasteride against androgenetic alopecia

Concern regarding adverse effects of finasteride is increasing. We aimed to determine the type and frequency of symptoms in men having long-term sexual and non-sexual side effects after finasteride treatment (a condition recently called post-finasteride syndrome, PFS) against androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Subjects were recruited at the Urology Unit of the Trieste University-Hospital, and from a dedicated website. Out of 79 participants, 34% were white Italians, mean age was 33.4\ua0\ub1\ua07.60\ua0years, mean duration of finasteride use was 27.3\ua0\ub1\ua033.21\ua0months; mean time from finasteride discontinuation was 44.1\ua0\ub1\ua034.20\ua0months. Symptoms were investigated by an ad hoc 100 questions' questionnaire, and by validated Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and Aging Male Symptom Scale (AMS) questionnaires. By ASEX questionnaire, 40.5% of participants declared getting and keeping erection very difficult, and 3.8% never achieved; reaching orgasm was declared very difficult by 16.5%, and never achieved by 2.5%. By the ad hoc questionnaire, the most frequent sexual symptoms referred were loss of penis sensitivity (87.3%), decreased ejaculatory force (82.3%), and low penile temperature (78.5%). The most frequent non-sexual symptoms were reduced feeling of life pleasure or emotions (anhedonia) (75.9%); lack of mental concentration (72.2%), and loss of muscle tone/mass (51.9%). We contributed to inform about symptoms of PFS patients; unexpectedly loss of penis sensitivity was more frequent than severe erectile dysfunction and loss of muscle tone/mass was affecting half of the subjects. Further studies are necessary to investigate the pathophysiological and biochemical pathways leading to the post-finasteride syndrome

In Vivo and post-mortem performances of Marchigiana and Romagnola Breeds

The aim of these studies was to evaluate the in vivo and post-mortem performances of Marchigiana and Romagnola cattle. The results provide updated information that suggest that the selection index of some parameters should be revised to improve the dressing, which is one of the limitations of these breeds

A covalent organic/inorganic hybrid proton exchange polymeric membrane: synthesis and characterization

Commercial polyetheretherketone (Victrex PEEK) was sulfonated up to 90% degree of sulfonation (DS), then reacted with SiCl4 to obtain a hybrid polymer. The product was characterized by 29-Si NMR and ATR/FTIR spectroscopies demonstrating the formation of covalent bonds between the organic and inorganic components. No dispersed inorganic silicon was present in the product as evidenced by the lack of any resonance at 100 ppm. Despite the high DS the physicochemical properties of the hybrid were suitable for the preparation of membranes exhibiting high and stable conductivity values (10K2 S/cm), hence suitable for application as ion exchange membrane

Rare spontaneous monochorionic dizygotic twins: a case report and a systematic review

Background: Monochorionic dizygotic twins are a rare condition, mostly related to assisted reproductive technology. This type of twinning is burdened by the same risk of pregnancy complications found in monochorionic monozygotic pregnancies. Case presentation: We report a case of spontaneous monochorionic dizygotic twins sharing situs inversus abdominalis and isolated levocardia, with only one twin affected by biliary atresia with splenic malformation syndrome. We also conducted a literature review of the 14 available documented monochorionic dizygotic twin gestations spontaneously conceived. Conclusions: It is still unclear how this unusual type of twinning can occur in spontaneous conception. The evidence so far suggest the importance to timely diagnose the chorionicity, in order to adequately manage the typical complications associated with monochorionicity

COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza Vaccination: Cross-Protection, Co-Administration, Combination Vaccines, and Hesitancy

SARS-CoV-2 and influenza are the main respiratory viruses for which effective vaccines are currently available. Strategies in which COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are administered simultaneously or combined into a single preparation are advantageous and may increase vaccination uptake. Here, we comprehensively review the available evidence on COVID-19/influenza vaccine coadministration and combination vaccine candidates from the standpoints of safety, immunogenicity, efficacy, policy and public acceptance. While several observational studies have shown that the trained immunity induced by influenza vaccines can protect against some COVID-19-related endpoints, it is not yet understood whether co-administration or combination vaccines can exert additive effects on relevant outcomes. In randomized controlled trials, co-administration has proved safe, with a reactogenicity profile similar to that of either vaccine administered alone. From the immunogenicity standpoint, the immune response towards four influenza strains and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in co-administration groups is generally non-inferior to that seen in groups receiving either vaccine alone. Several public health authorities have advocated co-administration. Different combination vaccine candidates are in (pre)-clinical development. The hesitancy towards vaccine co-administration or combination vaccines is a multifaceted phenomenon and may be higher than the acceptance of either vaccine administered separately. Public health implications are discussed

History of origin and development of customer service

Any interaction between two or more actors always involves different factors: economic, social, cultural, political and o ther. Studying the history of the service concept is impossible in the break from the study of the concept of trade. These two concepts in an inseparable bundle to more accurately reflect the importance of service both in small trade transactions and for the work of transport industry leaders, – have been considered in the article.The trade and economic breakthrough in the development of international trade relations, which dates back to the XIII century. The most important period for studying the history of the service concept as a key aspect of trade. The XX century has become really important for customer service. Created prerequisites, development of production, qualitative change in the life of the population – all it allowed both Russia and Europe to step far forward in terms of the service concept. If up to this point, the world has been convinced, that supply creates demand, then with the development of supply, with the expansion of services, with the advent of new modes of transport, namely, with the emergence of alternatives in any sphere of society, there is a new task – to attract customer to its product.The result of changes in the service sector in the XX century was a reorientation from production to customer, despite the uneven development of the countries of Europe and Russia, in the XXI century the countries rose about one step of service development. The only thing, that has become the strongest difference are the mental values of the people of Europe and Russia. Customer orientation prevails over one’s own interests, as the moral satisfaction of the process of interaction with the client is on a par with the material. Lack of class division of customers, and understanding the importance of separating needs according to opportunities is the basis for the development of service on transport

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in interferonophaties: a case report and a review of the literature

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension consists in an increase of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPm 65 25 mmHg), and may lead to right ventricular failure. Pulmonary arterial hypertension can arise in several disorders, encompassing inflammatory conditions and connective tissue diseases. The occurrence of pulmonary arterial hypertension has recently been reported in monogenic interferonopathies and in systemic lupus erythematosus, highlighting the pathogenic role of type I interferons and paving the way to therapies aimed at inhibiting interferon signaling. Case: We describe a 17-year-old boy with DNase II deficiency, presenting a clinical picture with significant overlap with systemic lupus erythematosus. During treatment with the Janus kinase inhibitor ruxolitinib, he developed pulmonary arterial hypertension, raising the question whether it could represent a sign of insufficient disease control or a drug-related adverse event. The disease even worsened after drug withdrawal, but rapidly improved after starting the drug again at higher dosage. Summary and conclusion: Pulmonary arterial hypertension can complicate type I interferonopathies. We propose that ruxolitinib was beneficial in this case, but the wider role of Janus kinase inhibitors for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension is not clear. For this reason, a strict cardiologic evaluation must be part of the standard care of subjects with interferonopathies, especially when Janus kinase inhibitors are prescribed